Critical Care Airway Emergency Course

This is a half-day course run by the critical care education team designed to improve the knowledge, skills, team working and confidence in the event you are faced with an airway emergency in critical care at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Given the complexity of the topic and time constraints of the afternoon some knowledge is required prior to attending the course. Having digested the pre course information the course should serve to cover the following areas

Basic overview of tracheostomy care (Intensive Care Society tracheostomy guidelines 2014 are a easy to read guide detailing the indications, types and complications of tracheostomies. This will not be revisited during the course)

National tracheostomy safety project guidelines for emergency management of the displaced or obstructed tracheostomy

Overview of the different types of tracheostomy

Recognition of the blocked or displaced tracheostomy

Capnography interpretation

Revision of the management of tracheostomy emergencies

Team based critical care simulation scenario involving a tracheostomy emergency​

Pre course preparation

Here is a checklist of reading to guide the level of understanding required prior to attendance (click for a link to the document)

"A brilliant course. I now feel much more comfortable with tracheostomies. Even just knowing the first few steps of the algorithm could be key when covering back of house as a junior doctor and I think this information should be distributed to all junior doctors at the trust" - Foundation doctor